U.S. car sales fell in first 10 days of 1986.

Despite the auto industry’s efforts to revive the weakening car market with a new round of cash rebates and discount financing programs, U.S. car sales fell 8.3% in the first 10 days of 1986, the seven domestic manufacturers reported. The U.S. car makers said they sold a total of 174,954 passenger cars during early January, down sharply from the 190,869 level posted during the first 10 days of January, 1985. All of the major U.S.-based auto makers reported significant sales declines.